Written piece
My Offerings
TALIYAH WALKER
Bahamas
About this piece
A poem offering the writer's own gifts to the Commonwealth: music from a "quirky, purple violin", a reading voice carrying books of secret kingdoms into classrooms from the Caribbean to Canada and Singapore, and a flat refusal of discrimination — closing with an invitation to share a meal in "my Bahamaland".
My Offerings
By: Taliyah Walker
God has chosen a tan-skinned, island girl like me,
From the aquamarine, black and golden archipelago scattered in the sea.
To bestow upon me many special talents and amazing gifts,
That can heal hearts, comfort souls, and uplift.
Why me is the question I pondered and asked,
Why give me such an extraordinary task?
But it’s an assignment we all should embrace.
To gather together our Commonwealth and heal with grace.
So what can I offer? What talents and gifts can I share each day?
As I traverse our nations along the way.
First I offer music, made from my quirky, purple violin,
To grab a soul from the dark and perhaps exchange for a gentle grin.
Maybe I can lend my voice to read books of wonder and adventure,
Of secret kingdoms, bejeweled crowns, and magical scepters.
To permeate classrooms across the Caribbean seas to distant shores,
Sharing my voice in books from northern Canada to eastern Singapore.
And deep within I will forever reject and deeply hate,
The loudness of discrimination our world so often debates.
So I will joyfully smile and welcome all to hold my hand,
To come share a meal and journey to my Bahamaland.
Cause we are all skin and bones, so why despise?
Instead, let compassion and respect reign and equality rise.
This is my offering and my Commonwealth thread,
My music, my voice in books I can share.
My abhorrence for discrimination, my compassion for all,
I pray will one day rule in all our hearts and subdue hate’s wall.
Yes, dear Commonwealth, this is my offering that I will bring,
To do my small part to keep us connected and always connecting.